1. What is a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is a translation done by a translator registered with a county court.

Practically, a sworn translator affixes his/her name and signature on the translation. By doing so, he/she indicates that the text is a translation true to the original and he/she gives it an official nature.

Sometimes, an extra step is necessary and a sworn translation needs to be legalised.

This second step is not necessary in all situation. Take the time to get all the necessary information before generating any additional costs.

2. What is a legalised translation in Belgium?

The legalisation certifies the origin of the document. It is the authentication by an official authority of the genuineness of a signature, the capacity of the signatory and, if applicable, the identity of the stamp or the seal on the document.

The legalisation - not to be confused with the certification of copies - is a mere administrative formality which gives no authenticity on the contents of a deed.

In Belgium, various official bodies are competent regarding the legalisation of signatures. According to the document bearing the signature to be legalised, you have to address the appropriate bodies: county administration, court, ministry, embassy, etc.

3. What is a sworn translator in Belgium?

A sworn translator is a translator who takes an oath in front of a court, giving evidence that he/she will render the text in the language to translate as faithfully and correctly as possible. He/she is authorised to do so only in the languages for which he/she is registered in court.

7. Does the sworn translator need my original document to make a sworn and legalised translation?

No,the sworn translator can prepare a sworn translation based on a simple copy or a certified copy of your document, possibly based on the scanned original you send him/her by e-mail.

Caution:before any approach, enquire the organisation or official authority to which you wish to submit the respective sworn and legalised translation, asit may also be necessary to send the original together with the sworn translation, or at least a certified copy.

3.Foreign documents intended to be produced in Belgium

3 - for foreign documents intended to be produced in Belgium, there can be two ways of having your documents legalised:

3.1 If the country signed and is part of the 1961 The Hague Convention, a certificate from the court is sufficient for the authorities of the countries having also signed this Convention.

3.2 In case a country did not sign and is not part of this Convention, your documents have to undergo a longer process. Besides a seal from court, it is necessary to affix the seals of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy concerned to it.